Customer Reviews

Ultimate Sin (Mlps)

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The Ultimate Sin, while mostly dismissed by the Ozzy camp with the exception of Shot In the Dark, which became the sole setlist staple in subsequent years...is an unfairly dismissed album.

To fairly judge the album, one must separate the actual songs from the production, which does indeed drag the album down. Ron Nevison has no business on any Ozzy album (or KISS for that matter.) It is primarily the production that drags the album down, not the actual songs. Fault lies with Ron Nevison and Capitol for pushing him as their choice of a producer upon Ozzy.
Put the production aside and judge the songs on their own merit, with some imagination of how they would have sounded with a proper producer. One must also take into account the souring relations between Ozzy and guitarist Jake E Lee as a factor in affecting Ozzy's view of the album. I believe the other factor that keeps this album/period as one that Ozzy would sooner forget is the image associated with it...big poofy blond hair with sparkly costumes best worn by Liberace.

The album's opening and title track, The Ultimate Sin, is nothing to scoff at. It features excellent lyrics put to a heavy groove...in fact, the song is an easy example of how the production got in the way of an otherwise worthy track, which can immediately instill a sense of frustration into the listener. The song itself would not be out of place on Diary of a Madman or Blizzard of Ozz.

Secret Loser follows suit with the same attributes....both tracks would be candidates as live set staples had they been handled correctly.

Never Know Why is the first track to bring up another issue with the album besides the production....poor lyrics. Actually, with proper production and the dropping of the "We Rock" chorus...it would be improved upon.

Thank God For the Bomb falls right in line with The Ultimate Sin and Secret Loser. The only real problem with the track is again...the production. It is the first track to bring up the theme of nuclear war on the album. It's a fast paced rocker with thoughtful lyrics.

I consider Never to be quite generic and tend to skip it. It does have it's moments...but not enough to hold me.

Lightening Strikes was the 3rd single released from the album. It is a prime example of how a horrid chorus drags down an otherwise great song. The hard hitting main guitar riff had plenty of potential to go down as one of the better known Ozzy classics. Improved lyrical content would have taken this one much further.

If there is one track that makes the overlooking of this album tragic, I'm going to give that honor to Killer of Giants. As the title alone indicates....it features very well done lyrics and an excellent arrangement. The mellow yet quitely edgy opening guitar appregios set the tone...bringing to mind images of the Earth in all it's beauty. When Ozzy's voice first enters...it continues the mellow mood...but after singing the line "if the button is pushed there'll be nowhere to run" the mood/music effectively yet subtlely shifts to one of dread, bringing to mind images of scorched earth..building up to an aggressive chorus.

Fool Like You is another generic rocker that I tend to skip.

The final track Shot In The Dark is well known enough to not need any going into. It does bear noting Ozzy was particuarly proud of the live performance of the song as found on the EP "Just Say Ozzy" as he felt it got right what Nevison trashed. Indeed...the EP track does do just this and serves as a prime example of how the rest of The Ultimate Sin tracks should have been recorded.

Considering the outrage pertaining to the re-recording of the bass and drum tracks on Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman...perhaps it would have been more prudent to go and correct the problems inherent on The Ultimate Sin..one of Ozzy's best selling albums, rather than attempt to bury it in obscurity by avoiding re-issuing it. Out of the Ozzy back-catalog..it is the album that would most benefit from re-mixing and re-recording the instruments..fleshing out some truly excellent material that is too easily dismissed by those unable to see past the flat, inappropriate production.

Unfortunately, we only have the album as originally released. I strongly recommend those that have not been exposed to it take into account the factors I name at the start of this review that impact the album. The contempt for the album in many of the reviews here should be read with wariness, considering most provide little supporting commentary for their opinion, especially when considering the rest of the Ozzy catalog. No Rest For the Wicked, while sonically correcting what was wrong with the Ultimate Sin, features a much higher degree of cringe-inducing lyrics than the Ultimate Sin. The proper balance would not be struck until 1991's No More Tears.

Avoid letting the slew of negativity skew your own opinion and you'll be able to see the material for what it is...adding some truly great Ozzy material to your collection that would otherwise have gone overlooked.

I am not a huge Ozzy fan but want to make things straightened out.
Allmusic.com, which people refer to often, grades this awesome album below mediocre. The critque seems to target the general hair rock of mid 80's. This album has everything to constitute a great hevey metal music, except for solid chemistry between Ozzy and Jake.

In fact, Ozzy's voice does not impress me as usual but the guitar blows my mind. Here in the Ultimate Sin, Jake E. Lee explodes his anger in his playing, the most agressive and heaviest guitar among Ozzy's albums. Jake deserves better than what people said about this album.

OK. So The Ultimate Sin isn't Ozzy's greatest album, but this album has so many great things going for it, it's a shame that it doesn't get better reviews than it does. Everything Ozzy fans have come to expect is found on this album; heavy, rockin' songs like The Ultimate Sin; Ozzy's more mellow, lighter side in Killer of Giants; those catchy songs (Secret Loser); and finally, in my opinion, Ozzy's greatest achievement, Shot In The Dark. This song was Ozzy's first top 40 single, and it's not hard to figure out why! This song alone is worth the album's total price. I recommend that every Ozzy fan purchase this album. Its a great, solid album, the sound rocks, the album cover rocks, and most importantly, Ozzy rocks!

I couldn't care less what the Ozzy bandwagon jumpers (the ones who called Ozzy fans "devil worshippers" in the 1980s and who are now ultra-Ozzy fans since that beyond dumb MTV "reality" show "The Osbournes") have to say about "The Ultimate Sin." It's a shame this album has gotten a bad rep because, if you take the time to listen to the lyrics, it conveys some pretty deep stuff.

Nowadays, the American media is romanticizing the 1980s and passing it on to kids born then (and afterwards) as this wonderful time to be with a president who was so lovable and jovial and an economy that was just teeming with prosperity and opportunity.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Ozzy, a British citizen, was conveying his thoughts of the ever-increasing threat of nuclear war between the then-two superpowers - the U.S. and The Soviet Union (Russia). The world was treated to back and forth barbs between the two countries and people hoped such a threat would never come to fruition.

To me, "The Ultimate Sin" is an album-long political statement more than a glam-metal album (although I would never equate Ozzy with "glam" metal!). Perhaps that's the reason why so many people are turned off by it. The sound is way more mainstream than "Bark At the Moon," "Diary of a Madman" and "Blizzard of Ozz," make no mistake about that. But the tunes are pretty deep and, as with all of Ozzy's earlier solo material (from "Blizzard ..." to "No More Tears"), I can simply put this in the CD player and listen from start to finish without skipping over any songs.

My faves here are "Killer of Giants" and the title track (which positively rocks!).

I've been an Ozzy fan since the '80s, in a time when those TV preachers, the P.M.R.C., and assorted misfits were crucifying Ozzy on a daily basis for doing nothing more than being himself. He was constantly targeted because he challenged peoples' views and rocked hard while doing it. Although it irks me to see him so mainstream today, I still respect him and will love his music until the day I die. - Donna Di Giacomo

Forget what you've heard, this record has it all: Heavy Riffs, driving bass and thunderous drumming. People claim this "too polished"...well it was 1986!!!! WAKE UP!!!! This record has such classics as "Shot in the Dark", the evil sounding "Ultimate Sin"....and several other great Ozzy cuts. Don't get put off by the "glam" bs...put down "Blizzard of Ozz for 5 mins and try something new..great record!

Well let me start out by saying that this IS the second best album(No More Tears being the first), and it is extremely underrated. Casual fans of Blizzard of Oz, might hate this album, but true fans will love it.

Jake E. Lee is back on guitar, Phil Soussan on bass, and Randy Castillo makes is drumming with ozzy debut. Randy Castillo always will be the best drummer, Michael Inez is a better bassist than Soussan though.

As for guitarists, I can't compare them. Ozzy's guitarists are all great, so none is better than the other, they all have unique things about them.

The songs are all great here, no filler songs.

Here's how I rate them:

The Ultimate Sin-The ultimate opener. Great, strong riff, exceptional vocals. A masterpiece. 10/10

Secret Loser-Self-parody track, note the chorus(awesome). 9/10

Never Know Why-"Never know why-we rock!" A big f**k you to anyone who thinks that ozzy's music is bad or evil or sucks!!!!!! 10/10

Thank God for the Bomb-Some people think this is the album's weak point. I personally think this song is great. (ONE PROBLEM- Note the riff at the beginning is similar to Van Halen's "ain't talkin' 'bout love") 9.5/10

Never-The riff at the beginning is great, it really shows of Jake's talent. 9/10

Lightning Strikes-Rips off the crazy train riff a bit... But it's better that Ozzy or his guitarist rip off a riff from one of his songs than some other band like Twisted Sister(no offense "guys," you're still one of my favorite bands). 10/10

Killer of Giants-Wow! A powerful ballad that just makes you think about war, and is as musically deep as it can be. 10/10

Fool Like You-Song about foolish people and foolish lives. The guitar playing is what keeps this song a gem. 9/10

Shot in the Dark-The best song on the album. By the way, ozzy hates this song now, but I still love it. Great guitars, and vocals. 10/10

So, there's my opinion. I hope this review was somewhat helpful, or something like that.

The Ultimate Sin is well... ultimate.

Rock on,
MasterOfMetal

First off, as a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Veteran, I must say that Jake E. Lee is definitely Ozzy's best guitarist. Don't get me wrong, Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde are two kick ass guitarists, but they are very overrated. Jake E. Lee was way more talented and musically diverse. It really is a shame that he never received the credit he deserved all these years. But, anonymous musicans are ALWAYS more successful and talented in the long run. As for "The Ultimate Sin", I personally can't understand everyone's problem with this album, being that is definitely Ozzy's best. I've been listening to Ozzy for many years now and he never topped The Ultimate Sin, even the stuff before with Randy. Believe me, every song on this album is heavy and true. On a lot of Ozzy's later albums without Jake, there are only about 3 or 4 good songs that you'll actually skip just to listen to. The Ultimate Sin is an album that you can play for hours and listen all the way through without skipping to the next track. You won't find one weak, soft, out-of-place, or a filler song located in this whole record. Once you get this album, you won't want to take it out of your cd player for weeks, it's that damn good and absolutely addicting. Hell, I'm listening to it right now as I'm typing all this, lol. I must compliment on the guitar work as being absolutely brilliant, flawless, and phenomenal. Just plain brutal and lots of energy! I must also compliment on the cover art too, definitely Ozzy's best cover. You will also find that the musicians on this album (Ozzy, Jake E. Lee, Phil Soussan, Randy Castillo) are without a doubt the strongest line up in Ozzy's history. I can't believe that one guy earlier posted that Ozzy sounds tired on this record, B.S.! If anything, Ozzy sounds the most energetic and down right pissed off than in anything else he has ever done, period. I didn't claim The Ultimate Sin as possessing the strongest line up for nothing, it does, believe me. I just don't get the people who bash The Ultimate Sin,...I guess not many people know what good Heavy Metal is anymore, or they never did in the first place, amateurs lol. The only downfall is that this album is out of print everywhere so definitely purchase it ASAP. I think it's a damn good thing that they didn't re-remaster The Ultimate Sin like the others that were recently...they left it alone in it's 1995 22 bit remastered true and pure form. But if they did re-remaster it, it would be crucified like the rest, with the new bass and drums recorded over the originals,(Argggg!) In conclusion, make every effort you can to buy this album, it is hard to find and is only for the true and dedicated. No one will ever replace Jake E. Lee on guitars.

People who underrate this album may be likely to prefer a more agressive Ozzy, like in Ozzmosis(1995) or Down to earth(2001).
The prince of darkness is versatile and can do excellent ballads( Mama I'm coming home
from "No more tears"or Dreamer from "Down to earth" for example).
The Ultimate sin (1986) came closer to melodic metal with Jake E. Lee's style. Ozzy sings traditional metal comomnly, but this album had a glam soul. Watch Shot in the Dark's videoclip to see it proved.
He's not as virtuoso as Randy Rhoads or Zakk Wylde, but he does his goodies too: The excellent and crazy guitar licks ( some of them with finger tapping , a " plium plium plium",if you don't know what I mean, 3:22 mark is an example )in
"Never" especially or at the end of Shot in the dark
( 3:46 mark -> Ponl'lonlumlororororooummm.... nearly)
I admit: This my favourite Ozzy album, very well done.
This cd continued what Bark at the moon left off: Ozzy worked his voice better,different to
what we hear in his first two solo albums (Blizzard and Diary of a madman) or in Ozzmosis.
He was less flat or trebled.
The tracks "Lightning Strikes" and "Never know why" ,"Shot in the dark" have one of the favourite topics in hair metal: the rock and roll elevation - > " Rocking all night...." "We never know why we rock, rock, rock...." or "I can feel my heavy breathing"


There's NO BAD SONG in this genuine masterpiece. However,these are my favourites (10/10):

Shot in the dark -> The beat remembers the first track, but no problem all in all because it's my one of my all-time Ozzy favourites. The chorus is gripping and the riffs are terrific.

That solo... (2:24), incredible feeling,a goldie.

Fool like you -> The intro is incredibly beautiful.Jake used harmonicals ( when we touch the guitar string gently and play above the right fret neck to obtain a music box effect) to do this wonder.
Killer track. 20 /10

Killer of giants -> Awesome ballad. "When button is pushed there will be nowhere to run" refers
to what will happen when the Cold War explodes, no survivors. The riffs follow Ozzy singing
notes in the chorus(Killer of Giants, threatens us all, mountains of madness). I like it.
The solo in 3:29 is marvellous,smooth and full of hammer-ons, with the help of wah-wah.

Secret loser-> In opposite to the title this track is a winner.
Beutiful riffs and melody (in 1:35 mainly)
Jake taps his guitar again ( 2:26), but slower than "Never". This kind
of tapping speed is similar to what Eddie Van Halen used in "You're no good"

Ozzy's studio albums from best to worst to me (tested and sincere):

1- Ultimate sin
2- Bark at the moon
3- No more tears/ Blizzard of Ozz / Diary of a madman (Tie)
4- No rest for the wicked
5- Ozzmosis
6- Down to earth

Released in 1986, "The Ultimate Sin" was a clear cut success, it went Double Platinum (That's 2 Million copies for those keeping score.) And the Tour played to Packed Venues Nationwide.

Ozzy's backing musicians for this album were Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals, Jake E. Lee - Guitars, Phil Soussan - Electric Bass Guitar and Randy Castillo - Drums and Percussion.

I consider this line-up to be the strongest of all Ozzy Incarnations. The Late Great Randy Castillo makes his debut behind the Drum Kit, a position he'd helm for about a decade. Jake E. Lee churns out riffs with a fury and passion that was lacking on the previous album, "Bark At The Moon". Phil Soussan's bass lines are always fluid and intriguing. And Ozzy's voice is still in top form, he can carry a clear melody. Compared to on later efforts his pipes sound deteriorated and past their prime. Maybe that's due to Age or Drugs/Alcohol I'm not sure. Or perhaps a combo of all three.

BUT for some odd, unforeseen reason today this album gets a bad reputation, despite the fact it outsold Ozzy's preceding 1983 Album "Bark At The Moon". And I've wondered for years why is this so? Thanks to sites like Epinions I can let my thoughts be known.

Ozzy Osbourne recently released a double Disc "Essential" compilation which is touted to be the end all thee all Ozzy Offering casual fans will need. NOT SO. The Tracklisting seems fine except one MAJOR, GLARING OMMISION. There was not one song from the Ultimate Sin! Is Ozzy and his label under some Revisionist spell? Have they a bad case of amnesia? What about the Two Hit Singles this album spun off? They are "Shot in the Dark" and the title track, respectively. The latter had a popular video on MTV.

I must completely disagree with another reviewer who said the production is bad. It sounds fine to me! "The Ultimate Sin" was helmed by Ron Nevison who also produced the Damn Yankees first album. The man has a knack for crispness and clarity. And, as is the case with many albums he produced, the Drum Sound here is superb. The Snare sounds natural unlike many albums of that time which reverted to a synth/electronic sound. Remember this? Van Halen's "5150" anyone?

I'm a conspiracist at heart, and one reason I believe many fans dislike this album is because of Jake E. Lee. This was his second and final album with the Oz. These same fans never accepted the fact that Ozzy's previous guitarist and Musical soulmate Randy Rhoades died in a plane crash. Subsequently they automatically hated whoever would take his place, no matter how talented that person may be. Which is exactly what happened in Jake E. Lee's case.

At the risk of commiting blasphemy I prefer Jake E. Lee over the other guitarists Ozzy hired (Zakk Wylde, Randy Rhoades). Those two can play very fast, but remember speed isn't everything. Yes Jake can pull off Two-Hand tapping techniqes with ease, but he is a very solid rhythm player, a skill the other two lacked in comparision. In fact Jake once said something to the effect of "I listen to many guitarists today and their Rhythm playing is Dismal. I wish they'd practice more, too much emphasis is placed on Solos, which is stupid 'cuz 90% of the song you're playing Rhythm."

When I was a toddler this album cover used to scare me, but now that I'm older and wiser it looks pretty cool, Ozzy's best actually.

BAD NEWS. To cash in on the popularity of The families TV Show "The Osbournes", his Record Label, Epic has re-issued and re-mastered all albums in The Ozzy catalog...Which Is kinda stupid because they had done an excellent job of re-issuing his back catalog in 1995.

But now Epic has re-recorded the Bass and Drum tracks for many of his classic albums because of a senseless dispute over royalties which was brought forth by a lawsuit from the Original musicians. They haven't received sufficient credit either. By the Way the Modern instruments dubbed over a classic recording doesn't work at all. But c'mon, especially today Ozzy and Sharon (His Wife/Manager in case you've lived under a rock and missed the show) should have NO excuse for Paying up. The latest Reissuing of Ozzy's work does not include "The Ultimate Sin", which is kinda good cuz if it was the Drum and Bass tracks would have been severely altered. But this album is NOW OUT OF PRINT, so you may have to Check the Amazon Used Section to find it. If at all possible, try to pick up the 1995 Remaster, which has "Ozzy" in big letters running vertically down the right-hand side and a green background. That's the version I'm reviewing right now. The sound quality is noticeably better by way of a 22 Bit Digital Mastering Process.

If you're worried that by picking up the 1995 Remaster you wouldn't see the Cover art in all it's glory, it's on the first panel of the Booklet, Which also include Lyrics, extensive Thank-You's and many rare and previously unpublished photos. I always thought Stylistically Ozzy's band were at their best around this time. Mach I of Hair-Metal was in Full Swing, which means Spandex and Teased Hair, if you've read my previous reviews you'll know I'm a huge fan of this era. Ignore the fold-out advertisement for Ozzy Swag, 'Cuz unless you've got a Doc Brown Delorean the stuff's no good, the offer expired on March 31, 1996.

When listening to the opening title track you get the impression that Ozzy and his backing band were thugs on a rampage. Heck they probably could've strolled through the 'Hood and stood solid ground. The lyrics are in Sing-a-long form. It begins with Randy bashing away at the toms. My favorite part of the song is after the second verses Jake plays a low-to-high chord effect.

"Secret Loser" is the first uptempo track on the album. It's powered by a Rock Solid Riff, and the solo is Jawdropping! Jake's two-hand tapping may not break any new ground, but he plays the same note repetitively, something scant few others do. The Bass Line is superb, adding flare.

"Never Know Why" moves along at a marching pace, and although the lyrics are a bit simplistic the chorus goes "You'll never Know why...We Rock!", that doesn't detract from the song.

"Thank God For The Bomb" is a thoughtful anti-nuclear weapons anthem. The crunching guitar lets up a bit while Ozzy sings the verses. Sample Lyrics: "War is just another Game/Tailor Made for the Insane/But make a threat of their Annihilation/And nobody wants to play/If that's the only thing that keeps the peace Then Thank God For The Bomb." The song ends with the sound of a bomb exploding.

On "Never" Jake E. Lee plays an Amazing riff that smoothly flows, and The Solo Doesn't disappoint either, as you'll hear high-pitched Finger-Tapping.

"Lightning Strikes" continues the winning streak. The words express Ozzy's devotion to Rock, "Until I feel that thunder shattering my Brain/I won't stop Rockin' All night Rockin' All Night/Until the Strikes Again." There's a few moments during this song that are so engaging, if you're not following along will Smack you upside the Head! Right Before the Chorus Prelude there's a Randy Castillo Double Drum Thud/Guitar Crunch". In the fading moments Jake sneaks in another brief Guitar Solo!

Ozzy Gets Thoughtful again with the ensuing track, "Killer Of Giants". The starting Chords are played Electrically, and an Acoustic Guitar can soon be heard simultaneously. A slight Keyboard element is also present which only strengthens the effect. When Ozzy Kicks in, you'll witness the deepest words he's ever sung: "If none of Us Believe in War/Then can you tell me what the weapons for". He sings with such Passion and Emotion...Very Striking. The Verses transition into a Heavier Chorus. And for a little while the Tempo speeds up, then slows back down for the closing chorus.

The weakest Track on the album, but by no means a Dud is "Fool Like You". Phil Soussan plays a solid Bass Line yet again. The Main Riff is a Hook in itself so to speak, it's very catchy.

"Shot in the Dark" ends the album. In the first 30 Seconds it almost seems like Angels are singing. This song encompasses a Real Moody feel. This was a Huge Hit Back in the Day, but it wasn't included on Ozzy's Recent Double Disc best Of. I'm left scratching my head. For my money I actually prefer the live version of this song from the Moscow Peace Festival because here it sounds Tame in Comparision. But then again all the live cuts of this song are played By Zakk Wylde, NOT It's original Architect Jake E. Lee. So if you're like me and prefer Jake E. Lee you'll be out of luck. That said, the Studio version isn't Terrible I guess.

How Could a Double-Platinum album be out-of-print? Well that's the case here with "The Ultimate Sin". Track down a copy before it's too late.

Listen to your heart and not what others say - OK Enough of the crap!! This is metal all the way. we're not talking thrash metal or death metal, but straight out heavy metal. When I heard this back in 86 I thought WOW! this is metalic, along with Whitesnake - featuring John Sykes - a year later. No Rest For the Wicked came next - with Zakk - and Boom! hit in the face again. Lets put this in context of the other metal groups and it comes out pretty heavy. what's everyone crapping on about, who was heavier in the rock area? Dio's first two and Iron Maiden's early records also rock hard, but aren't as heavy as this, Maiden is more old school anyway - sellout this, sellout that. Just buy it and enjoy - Jake has killer riffs - its electric.

If you like the guitar sound, check out -
Whitesnake - 1987
Blue Murder - Blue Murder (Featuring John Sykes after leaving Whitesnake)
All Zakks stuff
Badlands - 2 albums featuring Jake E Lee
Dio - Holy Diver - Last in Line

If you want heavier stuff
Arch Enemy
Soilwork
In Flames
Immortal
Post Pankiller Judas Priest with Halford
Halford - Resurrection
Primal Fear - most albums have cool riffs